Mitsubishi banks on new models increasing sales

Mitsubishi has boldly predicted that based on introducing new models, sales will increase over the last fiscal year, which ended on March 31st. The new models in question are the recent debuts of the three-row crossover Outlander, as well as the entry-level subcompact Mirage. Speaking of the Mirage, it was last seen on our shores back in 2003.

For the new fiscal year (that began on April 1st), Mitsubishi is predicting that North American sales will reach 100,000, as opposed to it dropping to 85,000 (from 106,000 the previous year) last year. Here in the United States, sales are predicted to hit 64,000 (adjusted from 57,000), although still well short of them touching 75,000 from the previous fiscal year.

Mitsubishi went back to basics after dropping several models from its U.S. lineup, including the Eclipse and the Galant, which languished on dealer lots after sales plummeted, due mostly to a lack of advertising and investments to keeping it competitive.

Also in an effort to stem operating costs, Mitsubishi also plans on increasing their exports from the Illinois factory that produces their best seller, the Outlander Sport. Last fiscal year, they shipped out 24,483 vehicles, and they’re aiming to expand to 38,000 vehicles this (fiscal) year.

What is also helping Mitsubishi stay in the black and report a profit is the yen reversing course, and continuing to weaken against the American dollar. Will this allow them to be able to invest more money into keeping the current and future models competitive? Only time will tell, but at least they’ll have the lower end of the market as steady customers…